Flooding in Yavapai County

Evacuations in the Verde Valley began around 10:00 PM Thursday Evening due to excessive rain in the area. A temporary shelter and small animal shelter was setup by the Red Cross at the Beaver Creek Baptist Church.

In the Montezuma/Rimrock area, Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District, Sedona Fire Dept., and Verde Valley Fire District responded to reports of flooding conditions along Rimrock Dr. and Tonto Way. A Code Red Alert was issued to inform those residents in the area of the evacuation and multiple rescues were performed, removing evacuees from impacted homes and vehicle stranded in floodwaters.

In Camp Verde, flooding conditions began around 2:00 AM. Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District responded to reports of flooding conditions along Montezuma Castle Hwy. Evacuations were accomplished and evacuees were placed at the Camp Verde Middle School temporarily.

In Clarkdale around 05:00 AM, Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was advised that there had been evacuations in Clarkdale. The town made a location available for the evacuated residents and then notified OEM after they noted the water receding.

The City of Cottonwood had minimal impacts associated with the flooding. Early this morning Yavapai County OEM was advised of an evacuation of a single trailer park from Cottonwood Regional Dispatch. Initially there was a request for a shelter to be opened at Mingus Union High School but was later determined that the RVs would be moved to higher ground.

Mayer/Black Canyon City: No reported flooding issues.

Yavapai County Flood Control District continued monitoring throughout the night and Yavapai County Public Works was able to get barricades and equipment placed where needed. Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance during evacuation and rescue operations. Development Services was contacted and coordination was set for completing Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) in the morning after flooding conditions had receded. Additionally, Public Works will be responding to assist with the PDA and debris clean up today as the water level allows.

The flooding conditions still exist along the entire waterway(s) associated with all of these incidents. We are seeing a gradual decrease throughout the area.

FROM YAVAPAI COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

Last night, the area of Rimrock along Beaver Creek experienced heavy flooding. Many of the homes along the creeks edge as well as other low-lying areas quickly filled with several feet of water. Deputies initially responded to the area at approximately 9:30 PM and immediately began evacuations. The fire department arrived and assisted with evacuations including a response from their swift water rescue team. Several deputies walked in waste deep flowing water, and carried elderly, children and dogs to safety. The rescued included four people and two dogs from a van that ended up disabled in several feet of water. Deputies barricades low-lying access roads. YCSO had also issued its Code Red Emergency Notification alert to residents along the creek with instructions to evacuate.

Yavapai County Emergency Management was advised and coordinated with the Red Cross to set a shelter at Beaver Creek Baptist Church. This location would also be used later by CVMO for evacuations in Camp Verde. At approximately 2am, the creek began to recede and by 4:00 AM, the evacuation order was cancelled but heavy caution to homeowners warning of barricaded flooded roads, large floating debris, and no utilities.

Deputies remain in the area to assist residents as needed and report concerns to public works and other county agencies regarding damage/debris assessment and road conditions.

The attached photo shows water nearly cresting the bridge at Sycamore Community Park in the 4100 block of Beaver Vista Road, Lake Montezuma.